Several companies and professions tend to attach professionalism to physical appearance. They think that how an employee looks, behaves and what they wear is an extension of the company’s image and reputation. Employees are expected to stick to a particular dress code and are discouraged from having certain hairstyles and looks. However, don’t you think that a person’s professionalism should be judged on their work ethic and the ability to take their company to greater heights?
A woman named Surbhi Jain, who is from Bengaluru and is the founder of an app called Neend, took to X to share how she was judged by an industry veteran who thought that her display picture which showed her with red hair, was unprofessional. At 1.30 AM, he texted her on WhatsApp saying that she shouldn’t put a DP like this.
“You should not put a DP like this. An industry veteran texted me on WhatsApp at 1:30 AM. I said, what do you mean? (It was just a passport-size picture of mine.) He said, ‘Like this… Hair color etc, this looks unprofessional.’ Honestly, I was taken aback slightly,” she wrote.
She went on to add that making bold business decisions is not enough and that one has to express boldness and individuality in their personality as well.
“Challenging the status quo and breaking free from the usual is the way forward. It’s not just about making bold business decisions, but also reflecting that boldness and individuality in our personal expressions. Why? Because we’re not just leaders, we are humans too, with our highs, lows, and quirks that make us relatable.”
She further expressed that colouring her hair, while a personal choice, is also representative of her willingness to try new things.
“Coloring my hair might be a simple personal choice, but it represents something bigger: a fearless spirit and a willingness to try new things. Some might not consider it “professional,” but isn’t it time we change what we think professionalism looks like? So here’s my DP/Picture with my colored hair, a symbol of my individuality without being apologetic about it.”
Have a look at her full post here:
You should not put a DP like this. An industry veteran texted me on WhatsApp at 1:30 AM.
I said, what do you mean? (It was just a passport-size picture of mine.)
He said, “Like this… Hair color etc, this looks unprofessional.”
Honestly, I was taken aback slightly."Is it too… pic.twitter.com/FxcOAETvpF
— Surbhi Jain (@surbhiskjain) December 11, 2023
Several people online agreed with her and thought that it was unprofessional of the industry veteran to dump his unsolicited opinion on her so late at night and that one’s professionalism must be judged by their commitment towards work instead.
Have a look at some of the responses here:
I think there’s a difference between being unprofessional and unconventional.
Your professionalism is shown through work ethic, communication, honouring commitments and so on right? How does a little self expression take away from the value you add as a professional?
Obviously…— Divya George (@divz_i_am) December 11, 2023
Why was this man up at 1:00am looking at other peopel’s whatsapp dp 🤣
— komal 🤸🏽♀️ (@komal_42) December 11, 2023
Problem with professional and unprofessional things is that people are not focused on the work but more focused on things that are merely hindrance. 🤷🏽
— Yashaswi Nagar (@ynrocks) December 12, 2023
Fully embrace it! You’re setting a refreshing example of authenticity and challenging outdated norms. Keep rocking that coloured hair and being unapologetically yourself! 🌈
— Ravikanth Chopperla (@ChNPRavikanth) December 12, 2023
Many think this way across the world. Let’s break all stereotypes.
Btw, I am getting full arm tattoo once I get some time.Let’s do remarkable things ¬ judge or be bothered about stereotypes.
— Atul Mehra (@MehraAtul123) December 11, 2023
Theek thak toh hai. Sober DP, nothing wrong with it. Take this from another “industry veteran”. Be you!
— Manish Mohan (@manishmo) December 11, 2023
What’s truly unprofessional is WhatsApp uncles looking at DPs and providing unsolicited commentary in the middle of the night. What’s unprofessional is holding leaders to an outdated standard of what’s professional.
— Dr. Aarti Shyamsunder (@Aartideetoo) December 12, 2023
We need to move forward from this outdated standard of what’s professional. Don’t you agree?